Preparing for a 60 km MTB marathon race? Discover how many hours to train per week, how to structure your rides, and tips to reach the starting line in peak condition.
There comes a point during preparation for a Mountain Bike Marathon when a question naturally arises: am I doing enough mileage?
Tackling 60 km off-road with an average elevation gain between 1,500 and 2,000 meters means accounting for 3 to 5 continuous hours in the saddle. This is not a short, explosive XCO race, but a true test of aerobic endurance, fatigue management, and distance tolerance. To cross the finish line with a smile—or to set a good time—weekly training volume is the cornerstone, but you don’t need to live on your bike to achieve great results.
Weekly hours needed based on your goal
The number of required hours varies primarily based on your starting point and your goal for the race.
- First-time finisher: If your goal is a first approach—simply finishing the 60 km while managing your energy well and avoiding late-stage cramps—the ideal volume is 6 to 8 hours per week, spread across 3 rides. This is the minimum dose to adapt your cardiovascular system and muscles to the distance.
- Intermediate performer: If your goal is to beat your previous season’s time, ride strongly even after the third hour, and finish in the top half of the rankings, plan for 8 to 10 hours per week split across 4 rides.
- Competitive racer: If you are chasing peak performance, a category podium, or maintaining a high race pace from the front grid to the finish line, training requires 10 to 13+ hours per week, structured across 4 to 5 sessions.
How to distribute hours throughout the week
Rather than focusing solely on total mileage, understanding how to divide your training hours across the seven days is essential.
- Midweek sessions: Utilize two or three shorter rides of about 1.5 to 2 hours during workdays. Priority goes to quality: climbing power efforts, tempo variations, and threshold intervals to clear steep pitches with ease. Performing part of these intensity sessions on the road or an indoor trainer helps refine pedaling cadence without off-road interruptions.
- Weekend long ride: The staple of marathon preparation is a 3.5 to 5-hour ride strictly on dirt. This block teaches the body to utilize fat as a primary fuel source, tests upper-body muscle endurance on rough terrain, and refines your nutrition strategy with gels and electrolytes. You do not need to cover the full 60 km race distance in training: a 4.5-hour session on a route with similar elevation gain is more than enough to trigger the necessary adaptations.
- Rest days: Reserve remaining days for complete recovery or very short, easy spin rides.
Bike maintenance and final taper
Accumulating hours on the trail places significant mechanical stress on your drivetrain due to dust, mud, and shifting under load. To avoid wasting precious watts on race day, service your mechanical components after every long ride: clean off grime with a dedicated degreaser, rinse, and apply a drop of Sprayke Lube 1 or 2 depending on weather conditions.
Finally, respect the tapering phase. During the final two weeks before the event, reduce your total hourly volume by 30–40% while keeping only a few brief sharpness efforts. Arriving at the starting line with fresh legs will make the real difference in translating your hard work into a great result.
